New Jersey guide
How to get your NJ FID card and concealed carry permit
New Jersey has two firearms credentials most residents care about: the Firearms Purchaser Identification (FID) card, and the permit to carry a handgun. Below is the plain-English order of operations for both — training, application, fingerprints, references, range qualification and what arrives at the end. Requirements, fees and timelines are set by the state and your local department, so confirm the current details with your issuing agency before you file.
Getting your NJ FID card
The FID card is the base credential for buying and possessing rifles and shotguns in New Jersey, and it is issued by the police department covering the town where you live (or the State Police if your town has no local department).
- Step 1
Complete the built-in safety course
Since September 2022, New Jersey integrates the required firearms safety instruction directly into the FARS application. First-time applicants review the state's Firearms Safety & Awareness presentation while applying online — there is no separate certificate to obtain or attach. It's detailed, so give yourself time to read it.
- Step 2
Start the application online (FARS)
Applications for a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (and handgun purchase permits) are submitted through the New Jersey State Police Firearms Application and Registration System (FARS). You choose the police department that covers where you live, or the State Police station if your town has no local department.
- Step 3
Provide references and consents
You list two reputable references who can vouch for you, plus a mental health records consent. Answer every question honestly — omissions are the most common reason applications stall.
- Step 4
Get fingerprinted
New applicants are scheduled for electronic fingerprinting through the state's approved vendor for the state and FBI background check. Bring photo ID and your reference number.
- Step 5
Wait for the background investigation
The issuing agency runs the background investigation and contacts your references. Statutory guidance is 30 days, but real-world timelines vary by town. Follow up politely with the records officer if you hear nothing.
- Step 6
Receive your FID card
Newer FID cards are issued electronically — the state emails you a PDF. That PDF is what you keep, and what we print onto a durable card for everyday carry in your wallet.
Getting your NJ permit to carry
A permit to carry a handgun is a separate, heavier application. Since New Jersey's 2022 law change, qualified applicants no longer have to prove "justifiable need" and no longer need a judge's endorsement — but the training, qualification and endorser requirements are strict.
- Step 1
Complete carry-specific training
New Jersey requires permit-to-carry applicants to complete an approved course covering law, safe handling and use of force. This is a separate, hands-on class — not the online safety presentation built into the FID application.
- Step 2
Qualify with your handgun(s)
You must qualify on a range course of fire with a certified firearms instructor for each handgun you intend to carry. Your instructor signs the qualification form you submit with the application.
- Step 3
File the permit-to-carry application
The application goes to the chief of police where you live, or to the State Police if your town has no local department. It includes four endorsers, your training and qualification records, fingerprints and the application fee.
- Step 4
Background investigation and issuance
Since New Jersey's 2022 law change, qualified applicants no longer have to prove 'justifiable need,' and the chief of police or State Police issues the permit directly. Permits are typically valid for two years and list the handguns you qualified with.
- Step 5
Renew before it expires
Requalify and re-apply ahead of the expiration date so there is no gap. Keep your qualification paperwork; you will need it again.
Documents worth keeping — and protecting
Save your training and qualification records, your FARS reference numbers, and above all the original PDF the state emails you. That PDF is your credential. Because New Jersey issues it digitally, most people end up carrying a folded printout.
If you want a wallet card after approval, upload the original state PDF and we print a durable wallet card in Boonton, NJ.
Common questions
Do I need an FID card to get a concealed carry permit in New Jersey?
They are separate credentials. The FID card covers purchase and possession of rifles and shotguns and is the base firearms credential most New Jersey residents get first. A permit to carry is a separate application with its own training, qualification and endorser requirements.
How long does a New Jersey FID card or carry permit take?
The statute points to about 30 days for an FID card, but towns vary widely — one to several months is common depending on your local department's backlog, fingerprinting appointments and how fast your references reply. Permit-to-carry applications add training and qualification time on top.
Does the New Jersey FID card expire?
New Jersey moved FID cards to a renewable format, so check the expiration on your own card and calendar the renewal. Permits to carry are generally valid for two years.
How do I get the PDF of my permit from the state?
Once approved, the State Police send an automated email with a secure download link for your electronic credential. Check spam and junk folders. Download that PDF and keep it — it is also the file you upload to us for printing.
Can I get my permit printed on a real card?
Yes. That is what we do. Upload the original state-issued PDF and we print it onto rigid PVC or laser-etched black metal, credit-card sized, so you are not carrying folded paper or a phone screenshot.
Are your cards official government documents?
No. We are a private printing shop. The State of New Jersey issues your credential; we print a durable, credit-card-strength card from the document you already hold. These cards faithfully reproduce your valid, state-issued credential for everyday reference and carry. Based on our review of the applicable requirements in consultation with the issuing agency and several New Jersey firearms attorneys, we are confident these cards serve as an appropriate way to demonstrate your credential to law enforcement.
Educational information only, not legal advice. We are a private printing shop and do not issue permits or act for the State of New Jersey. Verify all current requirements, fees and timelines with the New Jersey State Police or your local police department.